AN OVERVIEW OF A RUSSIAN ZERO DISCHARGE UNBLEACHED KRAFT PULP AND PAPER-MILL - SELENGA-PULP-AND-PAPER-COMPANY - THIS WAS THE WORLDS FIRST ZERO-DISCHARGE MILL

The Selenga Pulp & Paper Company operates a zero discharge unbleached kraft mill. Located in an environmentally sensitive area, the operatio n is situated on the Selenga river, about 60 km from the south shore o f Lake Baikal. The Selenga River is the largest source of water for La ke Baikal, a lake considered by Russians as a natural resource jewel. Lake Baikal is one of the world's deepest and cleanest lakes and conta ins one-fifth of the world's fresh water, more water than the Great La kes combined. Until 1990, the Selenga Pulp and Paper Co. was considere d one of the major polluters of the river. However in August 1990, the mill began effluent recycling. This was accomplished by activated slu dge technology in conjunction with chemical/physical treatment. The mi ll, in partnership with Sibgiprobum, a design institute for the Siberi an pulp and paper industry developed the closed cycle system. The regu latory history, and treatment plant design are reviewed in this paper.